ACE Agenda
2024 FINAL AGENDA
As of 5/15/24
SUNDAY, MAY 19
|
2:00 pm – 6:00 pm
REGISTRATION | Grand Ballroom Foyer (4th Floor)
|
|
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
FIRST TIMERS MEET & GREET | Fifth Avenue Room (4th Floor) |
|
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
OPENING GENERAL SESSION I | Grand Ballroom I&II (4th Floor) 3:00 PM - 3:15 PM Welcome and Opening Address Speaker: Mike Pellicciotti, Washington State Treasurer 3:15 PM - 4:00 PM Getting Candid with Paul Angelo: Lessons Learned from 25 Years as a Public Pension Actuary A revered legend in the public pension actuarial community, Paul Angelo, Senior Vice President and Actuary at Segal, has announced his retirement for later this year. He will share some of his experience -- both professional and political -- gained from over 25 years of practice serving public retirement systems. Speakers: Paul Angelo, Segal; Hank Kim, NCPERS |
|
4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
EXHIBITION | Grand Ballroom III (4th Floor)
|
|
4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
OPENING RECEPTION IN EXHIBIT HALL | Grand Ballroom III (4th Floor) |
MONDAY, MAY 20
|
6:30 am – 5:30 pm
REGISTRATION | Grand Ballroom Foyer (4th Floor) |
|
6:30 am – 7:45 am
BREAKFAST | Cascade Ballroom (2nd Floor) |
|
10:30 am – 5:30 pm
EXHIBITION | Grand Ballroom III (4th Floor) |
|
8:00 am – 9:30 am
GENERAL SESSION II | Grand Ballroom I&II (4th Floor) 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM Economic Overview: A Look at What's Ahead Gain valuable insights as Lee Ferridge, head of macro strategy at State Street Global Markets, provides his unique perspective on the outlook for the US and global economies. Gain insights into the November election’s potential impact on stocks, bonds, credit, and the dollar. Attendees will leave with specific investment ideas and a deeper understanding of our economic challenges. Speaker: Lee Ferridge, State Street Global Markets 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM The Intersection of Public and Private Credit Join us for a deep dive into credit investing with Bruce Richards, CEO of Marathon Asset Management. In this session, Bruce will explore the advantages and challenges to investing in both public and private credit. Speaker: Bruce Richards, Marathon Asset Management 9:00 AM - 9:30 AM Fireside Chat with Marcie Frost, CEO of CalPERS An industry veteran, Marcie Frost is a trailblazer and an inspirational leader for many. In a candid conversation with Jennifer Ablan, editor-in-chief of Pensions & Investments, Marcie shares her views on leadership and the culture of success that she brings leading the largest and one of the most complex pension plans in the country. Moderator: Julie Tatge, Pensions & Investments Speaker: Marcie Frost, California Public Employees' Retirement System |
|
BREAKOUT SESSION A | Grand Ballroom I&II (4th Floor)
9:45 AM - 10:45 AM Are We There Yet? Has the Recovery in Real Estate Values Begun? And What Comes Next? Session Facilitator: Thomas Ross, Somerville Retirement Board Speakers: Peter Palandjian, Intercontinental Real Estate; Sean Armstrong, Westport Capital Partners BREAKOUT SESSION B | Fifith Avenue Room (4th Floor) 9:45 AM - 10:45 AM What Do You Get When You Cross an Actuary and An Investment Officer? Session Facilitator: John Neal, Arkansas Local Police & Fire Retirement System (LOPFI) Speakers: Ryan Falls, Milliman; Derrick Dagnan, Fort Worth Employees' Retirement Fund BREAKOUT SESSION C | Elliott Bay Room (lobby level) 9:45 AM - 10:15 AM Express Talk: Asset Allocation: Building Resilient Portfolios Session Facilitator: Ginger Sigler, Oklahoma Police Pension and Retirement System Speaker: Christopher S. Tessman, Wilshire 10:25 AM - 10:55 AM Express Talk: Private Equity Investing in Infrastructure 2.0 Session Facilitator: Ginger Sigler, Oklahoma Police Pension and Retirement System Speaker: Mina Nazemi, Barings |
|
11:00 am – 11:30 am
EXHIBIT BREAK | Grand Ballroom III (4th Floor) |
|
BREAKOUT SESSION A | Grand Ballroom I&II (4th Floor)
11:45 AM - 12:45 PM US Energy Transition Session Facilitator: David Kazansky, United Federation of Teachers Speaker: Coen Weddepohl, Schroders BREAKOUT SESSION B | Fifith Avenue Room (4th Floor) 11:45 AM - 12:45 PM Implementing Private Credit for Plan Diversification Session Facilitator: William Whitman, NCPERS Speakers: Donald Kendig, Fresno County Employees' Retirement Association; Leanne Schmitt, Star Mountain Capital BREAKOUT SESSION C | Elliott Bay Room (lobby level) 11:45 AM - 12:15 PM Express Talk: Diversifying Your Portfolio with Emerging Managers Session Facilitator: Sherry Mose, Houston Municipal Employees Pension System Speaker: Jasmine Richards, Cambridge Associates 12:25 PM - 12:55 PM Express Talk: The Important Role of Venture Capital in Public Employee Retirement Systems Session Facilitator: Sherry Mose, Houston Municipal Employees Pension System Speakers: Michele Chow-Tai, Fairview Capital; Kwesi Quaye, Fairview Capital |
|
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
LUNCH & LECTURE SERIES | Cascade Ballroom (2nd Floor) Money Matters: Empowering Your Team Through Financial Wellness Benefits Speaker: Sherrie Grabot, GuidedChoice |
|
BREAKOUT SESSION A | Grand Ballroom I&II (4th Floor)
2:15 PM - 3:15 PM The Other Side of Passive: Negative Consequences and Limitations of Passive Investment Session Facilitator: Ryk Tierney, The Educational Employees' Supplementary Retirement System of Fairfax County Speakers: Andrew Wellington, Lyrical Asset Management; Michael Green, Simplify Asset Management BREAKOUT SESSION B | Fifith Avenue Room (4th Floor) 2:15 PM - 3:15 PM What's New in the World of Securities Litigation? Examining the Most Underutilized Corporate Governance Tools in the Shareholder Toolbox Session Facilitator: David Harer, Professional Fightfighters of Alabama Moderator: Henry Wilson, Wayne County Employees' Retirement System Speakers: Joshua Ruthizer, WolfPopper LLP; Serena Hallowell, Motley Rice BREAKOUT SESSION C | Elliott Bay Room (lobby level) 2:15 PM - 2:45 PM Express Talk: Riding the Curve: Bond Investors Worldwide can Use Three Basic Principles to Manage Risk in Portfolios Session Facilitator: Adele Tagaloa, Orange County Employees Retirement System (OCERS) Speaker: George Bory, Allspring Global Investments 2:55 PM - 3:25 PM Express Talk: Healthcare in Your Investment Portfolio: Terms and Investment Themes Session Facilitator: Adele Tagaloa, Orange County Employees Retirement System (OCERS) Speaker: Ryan Dunnegan, Kennedy Capital Management |
|
3:30 pm – 4:15 pm
SERVICE PROVIDER TOWN HALL MEETING | Fifth Avenue Room (4th Floor) |
|
3:30 pm – 4:15 pm
NATIONAL COMMITTEE ELECTIONS | Grand Ballroom I&II (4th Floor) |
|
4:30 pm – 5:30 pm
NETWORKING RECEPTION IN EXHIBIT HALL | Grand Ballroom III (4th Floor) |
TUESDAY, MAY 21
|
6:30 am – 5:30 pm
REGISTRATION | Grand Ballroom Foyer (4th Floor) |
|
6:30 am – 7:45 am
BREAKFAST | Cascade Ballroom (2nd Floor) |
|
10:30 am – 12:30 pm
EXHIBITION | Grand Ballroom III (4th Floor) |
|
8:00 am – 9:30 am
GENERAL SESSION III | Grand Ballroom I&II (4th Floor) 8:00 AM - 8:40 AM Index Investing: Not Such a Passive Decision With the frequent and extreme volatility over the past decade, investors have witnessed a profound transformation in the investment landscape, challenging the resilience of popular indices. These dynamic shifts are having far-reaching implications on asset allocation and diversification strategies, bringing new risks into question around index investing. We may be at a tipping point where a nonchalant approach to indexing might have worked in the past, but now there is a greater need for more intention and precision to achieve desired outcomes. This session will uncover hidden risk exposures in indexing, and how public funds can breathe a new life into their passive allocations. Speakers: Austin Guy, Northern Trust Asset Management; Michael Hunstad, Northern Trust Asset Management 8:40 AM - 9:30 AM Behind the Scenes with Public Plan CIOs Don’t miss this session with four outstanding public plan Chief Investment Officers who will discuss challenges ahead, provide context to trends, and offer insights on the markets and beyond. Jason Malinowski, CIO of Seattle City ERS, will moderate a stimulating conversation with Chris Hanak, CIO of Washington SIB; Rex Kim, CIO of Oregon Treasury; and Kristin Varela, CIO Hawaii ERS. Moderator: Jason Malinowski, CIO, Seattle City Employees' Retirement System Speakers: Rex Kim, CIO, Oregon State Treasury; Kristin Varela, CIO, Hawaii Employees' Retirement System; Chris Hanak, CIO, Washington State Investment Board |
|
BREAKOUT SESSION A | Grand Ballroom I&II (4th Floor)
9:45 AM - 10:45 AM Ahead of the Curve: Identifying Opportunities Where Others See Adversity Session Facilitator: Ryk Tierney, The Educational Employees' Supplementary Retirement System of Fairfax County Speakers: Sabrina Unger, American Realty Advisors (ARA); Steve Hagenbuckle, TerraCap Management LLC; Nicholas Vician, TerraCap Management LLC BREAKOUT SESSION B | Fifith Avenue Room (4th Floor) 9:45 AM - 10:45 AM How Does My Plan Stack Up? Meaningful Metrics for Comparing Public Plans Session Facilitator: Tyler Link, Austin Police Retirement Systems (APRS) Speakers: Bill Hallmark, Cheiron Inc.; Heath Merlak, Cheiron Inc. BREAKOUT SESSION C | Elliott Bay Room (lobby level) 9:45 AM - 10:15 AM Express Talk: Insights for Increasing Operational Alpha & Reducing Fiduciary Risk from your Securities Fraud Class Action Exposures (hint: It's not all about seeking to be lead plaintiff) Session Facilitator: Hank Kim, NCPERS Speaker: Irwin Schwartz, Dividex Management, LLC 10:25 AM - 10:55 AM Express Talk: The Secret Language of Share Price Movements Session Facilitator: Hank Kim, NCPERS Speakers: Michael Stocker Dark, Berman Tabacco; Guillaume Buell, Labaton Keller Sucharow; Amy Greenbaum, Labaton Keller Sucharow |
|
11:00 am – 11:30 am
EXHIBIT BREAK | Grand Ballroom III (4th Floor) |
|
BREAKOUT SESSION A | Grand Ballroom I&II (4th Floor)
11:45 AM - 12:45 PM The Opportunity in Private Credit: Why We Believe Now is the Time to Invest Session Facilitator: Adele Tagaloa, Orange County Employees Retirement System (OCERS) Speakers: David Manzano, Golub Capital; Keith Brakebill, Russell Investments BREAKOUT SESSION B | Fifith Avenue Room (4th Floor) 11:45 AM - 12:45 PM ESG Trends in Investment Considerations and Securities Litigation Session Facilitator: David Harer, Professional Fightfighters of Alabama Moderator: Margaret Niles, K&L Gates, LLP Speakers: Andrew Feucht III, K&L Gates, LLP; Brian Calandra, Pomerantz, LLP BREAKOUT SESSION C | Elliott Bay Room (lobby level) 11:45 AM - 12:15 PM Express Talk: Benchmarking In Hedge Funds Session Facilitator: Hunter Bryant, NCPERS Speaker: Tam McVie, abrdn 12:25 PM - 12:55 PM Express Talk: Uncover Active Returns in Passive Management: Earn More by Capturing the Missed Opportunities of Standard Passive Investing Session Facilitator: Hunter Bryant, NCPERS Speaker: David Barron, LGIM America |
|
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
LUNCH & LECTURE SERIES | Cascade Ballroom (2nd Floor) Artificial Intelligence and Plan Governance Considerations
Speakers: Christopher Fikes, Segal; Scott A. Miller, Segal |
|
BREAKOUT SESSION A | Grand Ballroom I&II (4th Floor)
2:15 PM - 3:15 PM What Makes a Good Securities Case: Essentials for Public Funds Session Facilitator: Frank Ramagnano, International Association of Fire Fighters Moderator: Lydia Lee, Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP Speakers: Katherine Lubin Benson, Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP; Mike Sheen, Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP; Kevin B. Lindahl, Fire and Police Pension Association Colorado; Sherry Mose, Houston Municipal Employees Pension System BREAKOUT SESSION B | Fifith Avenue Room (4th Floor) 2:15 PM - 3:15 PM It's Time to Move Out the Curve: The Case for Adding Duration in High Quality Fixed Income Session Facilitator: William Whitman, NCPERS Speakers: Colyar Pridgen, Capital Group; Jason Malinowski, Seattle City Employees' Retirement System BREAKOUT SESSION C | Elliott Bay Room (lobby level) 2:15 PM - 3:15 PM High Inflation and Post Retirement Benefit Increases -- Approaches and Pros and Cons Session Facilitator: James Thompson, Denver Employees' Retirement System Speakers: Tom Vicente, Bolton Partners, Jordan McClane, Bolton Partners |
|
3:30 pm – 4:15 pm
NATIONAL COMMITTEE EXECUTIVE BOARD ELECTIONS | Puget Sound Room (lobby level) |
|
4:30 pm – 6:00 pm
NETWORKING RECEPTION | Cascade Ballroom (2nd Floor) |
WEDNESDAY, MAY 22
|
7:00 am – 12:00 pm
REGISTRATION | Grand Ballroom Foyer (4th Floor) |
|
6:30 am – 7:45 am
BREAKFAST | Grand Ballroom III (4th Floor) |
|
BREAKOUT SESSION A | Grand Ballroom I&II (4th Floor)
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM Leveraging Technology and Business Process Improvement (BPI) for Enhanced Pension System Implementation Session Facilitator: Ginger Sigler, Oklahoma Police Pension and Retirement System Speakers: Olivia Applegate, San Bernardino County Employees' Retirement Association (SBCERA); Colin Bishop, San Bernardino County Employees' Retirement Association (SBCERA); Gerard Pappa, Linea Solutions BREAKOUT SESSION B | Fifith Avenue Room (4th Floor) 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM What do you get when you cross an actuary and an investment officer? Around the board table - Questions, Observations, and Challenges Facing Trustees Session Facilitator: John Neal, Arkansas Local Police & Fire Retirement System (LOPFI) Speaker: Ashbel Williams, JP Morgan Asset Management BREAKOUT SESSION C | Elliott Bay Room (lobby level) 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM Uncovering Opportunities in Emerging Markets: The Investment Case, India, and Small-Caps Session Facilitator: Sherry Mose, Chairman, Houston Municipal Employees Pension System Speakers: Bobby Mullen, Victory Capital Management; Natascha Barros Ehrensperger Willians, ABS Global Investments; Karti Bhatt, Wasatch Global Investors |
|
BREAKOUT SESSION A | Grand Ballroom I&II (4th Floor)
9:15 AM - 10:15 AM Finding Great Returns in the Midst of Changing Markets - Examining the Performance of Diverse Managers in Alternative Asset Classes Session Facilitator: David Kazansky, United Federation of Teachers Moderator: Robert L. Greene, National Association of Investment Companies (NAIC) Speakers: Meredith A. Jones, Author and Consultant; Marc McMorris, Carrick Capital Partners; Marcelia Freeman, Clearlake Capital Group; Irina Krasik, Stellex Capital Management BREAKOUT SESSION B | Fifith Avenue Room (4th Floor) 9:15 AM - 10:15 AM Building Organizational Health in a Public Retirement System - Guidance on Best Practices in Fiduciary Governance and Leadership Development for Boards and Staff Session Facilitator: Frank Ramagnano, International Association of Fire Fighters Moderator: Ashley Dunning, Nossaman LLP Speakers: Kevin Lindahl, Fire and Police Pension Association Colorado; Linda Webb, Fort Worth Employees' Retirement System BREAKOUT SESSION C | Elliott Bay Room (lobby level) 9:15 AM - 9:45 AM Express Talk: Engaging Your Employers: The ROI of a Dedicated Communications Specialist Session Facilitator: Hank Kim, NCPERS Speakers: Jonathan Yost, Oregon Public Employees Retirement System; Shawn Harper, Oregon Public Employees Retirement System 9:55 AM - 10:25 AM Express Talk: Private Credit Opportunities in Maritime and Offshore Energy Session Facilitator: Hank Kim, NCPERS Speaker: Bryan Schneider, EnTrust Global |
|
10:30 am – 12:00 pm
GENERAL SESSION IV | Grand Ballroom I&II (4th Floor) 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM What's Next for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion A panel of experts will discuss the current state of DEI in the investment industry and workplace and the challenges & opportunities ahead. You’ll walk away with a deeper understanding of why your investment program should consider a more inclusive portfolio as well as how to successfully implement organizational policies that will lead to a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. Moderator: Jim Park, CEO, Association of Asian American Investment Managers Speakers: Chrissie Pariso, Managing Director, MPowered Capital; Board Member of WAVE (Women's Association of Venture and Equity); Robert Greene, President & CEO, National Association of Investment Companies (NAIC); Leon Brujis, 65 Equity Partners 11:15 AM - 12:00 PM A Conversation with Investment Consultants Moderated by Marisa Grant, former CIO of Pugh Capital Management, a panel of leading investment consultants talk shop and share their views on the state of the industry. Moderator: Marisa Grant, former CIO, Pugh Capital Management Speakers: Daniel Johnson, Mariner Institutional; Phil Kivarkis, AON; Geoff Strotman, Segal Marco Advisors |
CONTINUING EDUCATION HOURS
By attending ACE, you can earn up to 11 continuing education hours towards your Accredited Fiduciary (AF) recertification and/or state mandated continuing education requirements.
ACE HIGHLIGHTS
ACE HIGHLIGHTS
Education
ACE provides a multitude of educational offerings for its members at all levels of experience. These opportunities will help you develop the knowledge, skills, and ideas you need to better serve your fund or union, move forward in your professional development, and engage effectively with colleagues across the country and Canada. Click the "Agenda" button to view the current agenda.
Exhibit Hall
Check out our exhibitors and learn more about the service providers that support our industry and your pension plan.
Networking
Connect, share ideas and best practices with your colleagues and or clients at the conference. If this is your first time attending ACE, join us for our first timer meet and greet reception where you can mix and mingle with other first timers.
Check out our exhibitors and learn more about the service providers that support our industry and your pension plan.
Networking
Connect, share ideas and best practices with your colleagues and or clients at the conference. If this is your first time attending ACE, join us for our first timer meet and greet reception where you can mix and mingle with other first timers.
NCPERS is recognized as a learning provider and is an accredited sponsor of continuing education in several states.